Stephen Curry, 36, point guard for the Golden State Warriors and the U.S. national team, explained why he has not competed in the Olympics in the past.

“In 2012, I didn’t make the team because I wasn’t at the level they were looking for. In 2016, I was coming off the Finals and I didn’t feel like I had the rest I needed to properly prepare for next season. And 2020 was the year of COVID-19. It just wasn’t the best time for me. Draymond went and won it twice. So I obviously watched it, but I let it go. This year, the stars aligned. It’s awesome. I had a little parade to build up to Paris. It’s really exciting.”

Curry has long been considered one of the NBA's elite players, but his path to the Olympics has been anything but straightforward. After bursting onto the scene as a shooting phenom at Davidson College, he went on to become a four-time NBA champion, two-time MVP and eight-time All-Star with the Warriors.

However, his international resume has been more limited. “The Olympics are the pinnacle of our sport. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of experiencing,” Curry said. “But the timing has never quite felt right in the past. There have always been other priorities or circumstances that have prevented me from being able to fully commit.”

Now, as he approaches his 37th birthday, Curry acknowledges that this opportunity could be his last chance to represent his country on the world stage. “I know my window is closing. This is probably my one and only chance to win Olympic gold. That’s why I’m so determined to make the most of it.”

Curry has seamlessly transitioned from a young upstart to one of the veteran leaders on a loaded American roster that also includes LeBron James, Kevin Durant and a host of other NBA superstars. "I've played a lot of big games in my career, but the Olympics are a different animal. The stage, the pressure, the importance, it's all taken to another level.

Despite his vast experience, Curry acknowledges there is always a sense of nervous anticipation heading into the competition. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel butterflies. There is so much at stake, not just for me personally, but for our entire country. We have a legacy to uphold, and I am determined to do my part to uphold it.”